FANS of Admiral Lord Nelson are in for a treat at Okehampton Library next week when author Julian Stockwin gives a talk on the great British seafarer, along with his fifth novel ?Quarterdeck.? Mr Stockwin, who lives in Ivybridge, draws on his own seafaring experience when writing as he joined the Royal Navy at 15. After seeing service around the world, he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander and was awarded the MBE. Devon libraries development officer said the author has always been popular with the county?s library readers and appeared in the top four per cent of authors in the public lending figures. ?He is an entertaining speaker on a fascinating subject and we?re expecting a full house,? she said. Stockwin?s novels are set in the late 18th century and tell the tale of Thomas Paine Kydd who earns his living as a wig-maker. Only dimly aware of the war breaking out across Europe, he is press-ganged and forced to serve as part of the crew of a 98-gun line-of-battle ship, the Duke William. From these humble beginnings, Kydd resolves to become a true seaman and goes on to progress rapidly through the ranks, forming a variety of alliances along the way. He fights in the Caribbean, Arabs in India, is shipwrecked, cast away, raises a rebellion and fights legendary battles in locations like Egypt, Oceania and the Americas. Julian Stockwin will appear at Okehampton Library on March 2 at 1pm. For more information call the library on 01837 52805.
